Washing-machine



(No Model.)

J. LEWIS.

WASHING MACHINE.

' No, 246,159. Patented Aug. 23,1881.

By Q

PETERS. PhclaLitflngraphor, Wash ngton. D, C,

TINTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JONATHAN LEWIS, OF URBANA, OHIO.

WASHING-MACHINE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent Ive/246,159, dated August 23, 1881.

Application filed April 2, 1881.

1'0 all whom it may concern Be it known that I, J ONATHAN Lewis, of Urbana, in the county of Champaign and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Washing-Machines; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilledin the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawin gs,which form a part of this specification, and in which- Figure l is a vertical longitudinal section of my improved washing-machine. Fig. 2 is a vertical cross-section of the same. Fig. 3 is a perspective detail view, showing one end of one of the fixed rubbing-strips and its attachmentto the connectingrod; and Fig. 4 is a perspective view of one of the curved castings which form the bearings for the corrugated bottom rollers.

Similar letters of reference indicate correspondin g parts in all the figures.

My invention has relation to that class of washing-machines which consist, essentially, of a semicircular rubber oscillating within a tub or suds-receptacle of corresponding form; and the invention consists in certain details of construction, ashereinafter explained,whereby the efficiency of the machine and the facility of operating it are materially increased, and which admits of free access to every part of the machine for thepurpose of keeping the same clean.

In the annexed drawings, Arepresents a stout tub having a semicircular bottom of wood or metal, or a combination of wood and metal, and furnished with a semicircular rubber, B, the sides of which are recessed in the center of the semicircle, as shown at I) b, to receive circular cast-iron trunnions G O.

0 is a rubber disk, which is inserted into the trunnion-recess I) back of the trunnion-plate, so as to exercise an outward pressure on the latter. The trunnion pins or pivots project into vertical bearing-grooves D in the sides of the tub, which have an outward slant, or are inclined outwardly from top to bottom, as shown in Fig. 2.

To prevent wear of the sides of the tub in which the oscillating rubber works, I prefer to make the grooved bearings D of cast-iron, sunk into the wooden sides, and in order to prevent the trunnions from slipping out of their bear- (Xo model.)

in gs by the pressure of the clothes underneath the rubber, I provide sliding look-plates E over each of the grooved bearings, which, when pushed to one side, will open the grooves for the insertion of the rubber and trunnions, but close it when pushed in the opposite direction.

It will be observed that the elastic packing a exercises an outward pressure on the trunnions against the inclined bearings D, which has a tendency to force the rubber in a downward direction against the clothes placed in the bottom of the tub, and thereby increase thefriction, thus facilitating and expediting the operation of washing.

The sides of'thetub have semicircular grooves a concentric with the rubber B, for the insertion ofcurved castings E, which form bearin gs for the corrugated rollers F in the bottom part of the tub. Each of these castings has a laterally-projecting web or fiange,f, which fits into its appropriate groove to and is cut away or notched opposite to or in a line with apertures 0, into which the pivot-pins in the ends of the rollers are inserted.

The notches d permit the suds in the box or tub A to gain access to the pivots and their bearings e, and thus wash out dirt and sediment,which, by accumulating in the apertures, would interfere with the free operation of the rollers.

I prefer to employ six corrugated rollers, F, and the castings E, in which they arejournaled, should be galvanized to resist the action of the water, as should alsoall other metal work about the tub and rubber.

The fixed rubbin g-strips G, on opposite sides of the rollers F, are inserted and fastened in the tub by cutting ofi' their ends flush with the sides of the tub and connecting each series of strips by a bent rod or wire, g, (see Fig. 3,) which is doubled at intervals to form projecting points h, which are inserted into the ends of the strips G. The connecting-wire g, after each series or row of strips have been united in this manner, is bent to conform to the curvature of the groove or channel-a and slipped into its proper position with the wire resting within the groove. The advantage of this construction is that it permits of the ready and simultaneous removal of the connected strips, and prevents binding in the grooves by swell ing or warping, as is apt to be the case with I tenoned rubbing-strips.

In one end of the machine is a hinged board, H, upon which the wringer is clamped. When the wringer is not in use it may be swung to one side, so as to be out of the way without detaching it from the machine, and may be as readily swung back again when desired for use. A plugged outlet is provided in the bottom of the tub, through which the dirty water may be drawn ofl.

Having thus described myinvention, I do not claim, broadly, awashing-machine having a set or series of corrugated bottom rollers and devices for preventing the rubber from slipping out of its bearings; but

I claim as my improvement and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States- 1. In combination with the tub or concave A, having inclined bearings D, the rubber B, recessed in opposite sides at b, and provided with elastic packing-disks c, and trunnions O, as and for the purpose shown and set forth.

2. In a reciprocating rubber washing-machine, the castings or roller-bearings E, having a laterally-projectin g web, f, notched at d, and apertures (2, opening into said notches, in combination with the tub or concave A, havin g grooves a and corrugated bottom rollers, F, as set forth. 7

3. In a reciprocating rubber washing-machine, the combination, with the tub or concave A, having grooves a, ot'the rubbing-strips G, connected by a rod or wire, 9, bent to form the points h, and curved to conform to the curvature of the grooves a, as set forth.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereunto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

JONAIIIA N LEWIS.

\Vitnesses:

JOHN O. DYE, MIoHAEL GALLAGHER. 

